Vetting Antiques Shows

They may be called the “Quality Controllers” of antiques shows and fairs but they are known as the Vetters in the art and antiques industry. Vetting is the long process prior to opening day when a group of invited experts made up of appraisers, dealers, academics, curators and auction house specialists endeavor to inspect and examine every item that will be offered for sale . This is to ensure both authenticity and accuracy that the exhibitors actually have what they say they have and their labeling is accurate and correct. This gives the buyers at the show confidence that what they purchased is the real deal.

These shows of enormous size can present logistical challenges for the Vetting Coordinator. The exhibitors are asked to be present and in their booths the day before the show opens during the vetting process, or they may be invited to step out of their booths for the vetting process, depending on the contract between the organizers and the exhibitors. Enforcing the contract terms between the organizers and the exhibitors related to the vetting process can be frustrating at times. On occasion exhibitors are still setting up and unpacking when the vetters arrive, which can lead to a few objects that don't get vetted. Fortunately, the vetters return during the show and have an opportunity to check that booth on opening day.

The experts are asked to vet by subject, chronology or area of expertise and on vetting day you can see them buzzing around the Exhibition Halls, turning over silver examining hallmarks, eying jewelry with a jeweler's loop, or pulling out the drawers of a Georgia chest.

The vetters have checklists for furniture, silver, clocks, ceramics, decorative arts, paintings etc that must be completed by the vetters and turned in to the vetting committee chair of their findings. The vetting process is meant to be informative rather than confrontational. Vetters are not there to sneer at the prices on the labels, but to give their expert opinion regarding the integrity of merchandise being offered for sale and ensure the goods are sufficiently and correctly described. The exhibitor is usually allowed to make subtle restoration to an item to bring it back to original condition but shall not display or sell any reworked, re-manufactured, substantially altered, created, or married furniture or other items that are not original.

At a datelined show such as Houston Antiques Dealers Association Show (HADA) the committee must also agree that an object falls within designated chronological cut off dates. For an object that is outside of the datelines the exhibitor may be asked to pull the item from the floor.

For those objects that are questionable or don't cut the mustard, rarely does one's individual viewpoint dominate. Vetting is an opinion by an expert and if there is a discrepancy or if something needs to be pulled from the booth, usually it is discussed with other vetters and the Chair prior to taking action.

Not all challenges by the vetters is bad news. Sometimes the exhibiting dealer might receive knowledgeable information from the vetter that is in the form of good news. For example, a pair of porcelain vases that were labeled 19^th century may actually be 17^th century. When that happens the dealer smiles and ups the price. When this happens, the vetting process can be enjoyed not only from the customer, but from the dealer's too.